Slight tenderness in right medial forearm when touched
TESTS ORDERED AND RESULTS
Cervical mri – normal
NCV – ulnar nerve dysfunction
SYMPTOMS/COMPLAINTS
Right hand tingling, numbness and weakness for past few months
Pain, waxes and wanes
Worst at the end of the day
Wakes him up at night, feels better if he changes position
DIAGNOSIS
Ulner nerve neuropathy
RATIONALE FOR DIAGNOSIS
Abnormal sensations in little finger (pinky)
Decreased sensation
Pain
Tingling
Numbness weakness
Wakes up from sleep
Complete the following for the disease you diagnosed NAME OF DISEASE Ulnar nerve neuropathy
WHAT IS IT
A condition when the ulnar nerve becomes pinched and causes discomfort in the wrist and hand particularly the pinky. The most common site for this pinched nerve is the elbow and the wrist.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE
pins and needle and numbness in the pinky
weakness and wasting of the hand muscle
inability to straighten pinky and ring finger affected
decreased sensation
can awaken from sleep
pain
HOW DISEASE IS DIAGNOSED (WHAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND WHAT THEY WOULD SHOW) NCV- measures the electrical energy of a nerve by assessing the nerve’s ability to send signals. This would show if a nerve was damaged or pinched and was the reason for discomfort. MRI- uses radio waves to produce detailed images of structures within the body. This would be used to look at the neck and see if discomfort was caused by damage to the neck or a disc in the spinal cord.
TREATMENT If the cause is identified, sometimes the patient can get better on their own. Medications such as over the counter pain relievers, or corticosteroids that are injected to relieve swelling and pain can be used. A supportive splint worn on a daily bases relieves symptoms. Surgery on the nerve to relieve pressure may be used if there is proof that the nerve is wasting away. Physical therapy exercises and occupational therapy can also be used.
PROGNOSIS AND COURSE OF DISEASE If the cause of the dysfunction is identified and can be treated, a full recovery can be expected. In some cases, loss of movement or sensation can occur. Nerve pain can be severe and may last a long period of time.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE WITH IT (FIND PICTURES AND VIDEOS FOR YOUR WIKI PAGE)
NAME OF DISEASE
Ulnar nerve neuropathy
WHAT IS IT
A condition when the ulnar nerve becomes pinched and causes discomfort in the wrist and hand particularly the pinky. The most common site for this pinched nerve is the elbow and the wrist.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE
HOW DISEASE IS DIAGNOSED (WHAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND WHAT THEY WOULD SHOW)
NCV- measures the electrical energy of a nerve by assessing the nerve’s ability to send signals. This would show if a nerve was damaged or pinched and was the reason for discomfort.
MRI- uses radio waves to produce detailed images of structures within the body. This would be used to look at the neck and see if discomfort was caused by damage to the neck or a disc in the spinal cord.
TREATMENT
If the cause is identified, sometimes the patient can get better on their own. Medications such as over the counter pain relievers, or corticosteroids that are injected to relieve swelling and pain can be used. A supportive splint worn on a daily bases relieves symptoms. Surgery on the nerve to relieve pressure may be used if there is proof that the nerve is wasting away. Physical therapy exercises and occupational therapy can also be used.
PROGNOSIS AND COURSE OF DISEASE
If the cause of the dysfunction is identified and can be treated, a full recovery can be expected. In some cases, loss of movement or sensation can occur. Nerve pain can be severe and may last a long period of time.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE WITH IT (FIND PICTURES AND VIDEOS FOR YOUR WIKI PAGE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4I1dwIwaSI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdmv2LpL3Hw